Method of securing fittings or plates onto containers or container portions and a machine for carrying out the method

ABSTRACT

A method and machine for applying securing fittings or plates onto container and container components wherein the plates are formed from a continuous strip of stock by first stamping the strip with the necessary securing tabs, severing the completed fittings or plates from the strip and immediately thereafter directly applying the fittings or plates to the container or container components.

United States Patent 11 1 Nordgren METHOD OF SECURING FITTINGS OR PLATESONTO CONTAINERS OR CONTAINER PORTIONS AND A MACHINE FOR CARRYING OUT THEMETHOD [76] Inventor: Hans Elov Nordgren, P1 4322,

S-828 00, Edsbyn, Sweden [22] Filed: Nov. 1, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:302,778

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data NOV. 12, 1971 Sweden 14493/71 52us. (:1 29/4321, 29/417, 29/526, 29/208 D 51 rm. c1 B23p 11/00, B23p19/04 [58] Field of Search 29/4321, 417, 526, 208 D Sept. 24, 1974Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-D. C. Reiley, 111

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Diller, Brown Ramik & Wight 5 7 ABSTRACT Amethod and machine for applying securing fittings or plates ontocontainer and container components wherein the plates are formed from acontinuous strip of stock by first stamping the strip with the necessarysecuring tabs, severing the completed fittings or plates [56] ReerencesCited from the strip and immediately thereafter directly applying thefittings or plates to the container or con- UNITED STATES PATENTS tamercomponents 2,311,961 2/1943 Parsons 217/65 3,212,694 10 1965 Sanford29/208 D x 30 Claims, 6 Drawlng Flgllres l o o o o o 11 o 16 o 0 o 0 Q I9 $P 15 t3 7 1 I f 6 I j 323 2 3 ,8 w

PATENTED SEP24 I974 saw u or 6 SL837. O69

PATENTED SEP 2 4 I974 SHEET 5 BF 6 METHOD OF SECURING FITTINGS OR PLATESONTO CONTAINERS OR CONTAINER PORTIONS AND A MACHINE FOR CARRYING OUT THEMETHOD This invention is related to a method of securing fittings orplates onto containers, for example cases, packings, goods, transportcontainers or the like or onto parts composing such containers: themethod comprising the steps of feeding, in a manner known per se, astrip from a supply; imparting in the strip, by stamping, the plateswith the plates having securing tabs which are drivable into the wallsof the containers or container portions, and severing the strip whileforming a plate of suitable length.

In a prior art, the strip is severed, after the stamping and formationof other work functions in a machine particularly designed for thepurpose, into plates of a predetermined length, whereupon the plates arecollected and stored to be later applied onto the containers orcontainer portions in another plant or machine. This method has howeverdisadvantages, primarily in that the plates must be transported from onemachine to another before application on the containers. This has causedincreased transport and handling costs and a need for excessively largeplant spaces.

An object of this invention is to remove the abovementioneddisadvantages by a method which is characterized in that the plate ispressed onto the container portions following, preferably immediatelyfollowing, the method step in which the strip is severedyThe plates willthus be directly applied from the strip to the containers therebyeliminating the need for transportation of the plates between differentplants or machines.

An additional object of invention is to provide a machine for carryingout the method.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of a machineaccording to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the machine shownin FIG. 1 with parts broken away;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line lllllI inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line IV-lV in FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view similar to FIG. 2 of a secondembodiment of the machine according to the invention with parts brokenaway, and

FIG. 6 is an end view of the machine shown in FIG. 5.

The numeral 1 in FIG. 1 designates generally the portion of the machinewhich performs work on the strip to form plates for clenching onto thecontainer parts. The numeral 2 designates generally a strip supplyhaving a strip 3 which is fed along through a feed station 4 to thestrip forming portion 1. The strip supply 2 may consist ofa reel havinga strip roll ofa length of several hundreds of meters. The strip 3 isformed preferably of metals, for example carbon steel, and has a widthand a thickness to permit ready working of the strip. Metal strips 3 mayhave a width of 3 5 cm and a thickness of 0.5 1.5 mm. The invention is,however, not limited to forming strips of metals as other materials areconceivable.

The feed station 4 includes two rolls 6 and 7 mounted on a column 5, theroll 6 being drivable by means of a motor 8 while the roll 7 resilientlyclamps the strip 3 travelling between the rolls. From the feed station 4to the forming portion 1 of the machine the strip 3 travels throughguide means 9, which may consist of two elongate sheet plates spacedfrom each other by spacers between which the strip is guided.

The forming portion 1 of the machine includes a fixed or stationaryframe generally designated by the numeral 10 and a tool movable relativeto the frame 10 and generally designated by the numeral 11. This tool,in the illustrated embodiment, includes an elongated beam-like bodywhich is vertically movable towards and away from the frame 10 by meansof a driving mechanism (not shown in details), as for instance a drivingmechanism similar to that used in reciprocating presses. The drivingmechanism is generally indicated by the connections 12.

According to the invention there is provided on the movable tool 11press means 13 corresponding to a backing or anvil 14 of frame 10. Thereis further a shearing means 15 provided on the movable tool 11 andstamping means 16 matching a die 17in frame 10.

FIGS. 2 and 4 show more in detail the tool or press means 13 and theanvil 14. The press means 13 includes a slide plate 18 disposed at oradjacent the discharge end of tool 11 and is in the form of an elongateplate, preferably of hard metal, which is attached to the lower side oftool 11 by bolts or other fastening members 19. The slide plate 18 hason its lower side a V- formed recess defined by two press surfaces 20and 21. The illustrated between the two press surfaces 20 and 21 isabout The anvil 14 includes an arm 23 projecting from the frame 10 anddisposed under the slide plate 18. The upper side of arm 23 has, asshown in FIG. 4, two support surfaces 24, 25 disposed at an angle toeach other and on which two container walls 26, 27 are supported duringa press operation. The angle between the support surfaces 24, 25 is inthis case 200, whence follows that the angle between the press surfaces20, 21 of the slide 18 together with the angle between the supportsurfaces 24, 25 make four right angles or angle total of 360. Also theunder side of the arm 23 is Vshaped, the angle between the two lowersurfaces of the arm 23 being the same as the angle between the two uppersupport surfaces 24, 25 thereof.

On the under side of the slide 18 is provided a holder or retainer 28 toretain and guide a plate formed from the strip 3 relative to the slideuntil such time as the formed plate is clenched into the container walls26, 27. According to a particular embodiment of the invention theretainer 28'is in the form of two retainer bodies 29 inclined relativeto. each other and movable in slots 30 in the slide plate 18. Theretainer bodies 29 are preferably elongated webs retained in the slots30 by stop members not shown. In FIGS. 2 and 4 the retainer bodies 29are shown in a first position projecting out of the slide, in which thedistance between adjacent portions of the retainer bodies, i.e., thedistance between the lower edges of the retainer bodies, is less thanthe width of the plate formed from the strip 3. Thereby the plate isretained between the obliquely inwardly extending lower portions of theretainer bodies. As the slide 18 is displaced in a direction towards thebacking arm 23 during a press operation and the retainer bodies 29 comeinto contact with the container walls 26 and 27, the retainer bodieswill be forced into the slots 30 to a second position in which thedistance between the lower edges of the retainer bodies will be greaterthan the width of the formed plate, upon which the formed plate will bereleased and permitted to be clenched into the container walls. Theretainer bodies 29 may, as shown in FIG. 4, be movable from the secondposition into the first position by the action of gravity alone, i.e.,the fall by their own weight down into the first position in which thestrip is retained relative to the slide. Springs, for example helicalcompression springs, may be positioned in the slots 30 for resilientlyurging the retainer bodies into the illustrated first position shown.FIG. 4 shows the retainer bodies 29 disposed immediately adjacent to theV-formed recess 22 in the slide.

The shearing means includes a first edge or rim 31 formed on the slideplate 18 and movable relative to a second edge or rim 32 disposed on theframe 10, preferably on the die 17 thereof, and located in the samevertical plane as the first edge 31. FIG. 2 shows the second edge 32disposed at a fixed height above the backing arm 23. Accordingly thestrip 3 will be severed into a separate plate immediately before theclenching of the plate onto the container portions.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show more particularly the stamping means 16 of themachine. The figures show the stamping means l6 as including a pluralityof stamping members 33 detachable or removable individually or by groupsand movable into bores 34 of the die 17. The stamping 33 consist each ofa cylindrical pin, the downward ends of which are bevelled and pointedto penetrate the strip and stamp out in the strip, e.g., four securingtabs. The stamping members are dsiposed in two rows, parallel to eachother, to form two rows of securing tabs in the strip. It is possible toarrange the separate stamping members in another manner, for example instaggered configurations or in more than two rows. The stamping membersare attached by groups to a number of stamp holders 35. In theembodiment shown, each stamp holder 35 is associated with three pairs ofstamping members, it being however possible to provide a greater orlesser number of stamping members on each stamp holder. The stampholders together with the stamping members are detac-hably connected tothe movable tool 11 in the manner shown in FIG. 3. The faces 36 of thestamp holders are inclined and abut against a pair offaces, inclined ina corresponding manner, of two webs or guides 37 and 38. Each web 37 isfixed to the beam-like body 11 by bolts 39 or other suitable fasteningmembers accessible from the lower side of the beam body 11. The otherweb 38 is applied to the beam body 11 by means of bolts 40 which areeasily accessible from the upper side of the beam body.

Between the upper side of the stamp holders and the beam body 11 isprovided an adapter 41 which, as well as the stamp holders and the webs37, 38, is preferably formed of hard metal. When the bolts 39 and 40 aretightened and the webs 37, 38 abut against the beam body 11, the stampholders 35 are clamped and firmly fixed relative to the beam body 11.Whenone or more stamp holders are to be removed the bolts 40 arereleased to discontinue the clamping action of the web 38 against thestamp holders, whereupon the adapter 41 is removed and the stamp holderin question may be removed or mounted respectively. It is thus possibleto adjust the number of stamp holders according to different lengths ofthe plates produced in the machine. Plates of a maximum length impliesthe use of a full number of stamping members, and production of platesof a lesser length implies removing a number of stamp holders andstamping members associated thereto in accordance with the length of theplates.

Between the stamping means 16 and the die 17 there is provided astripper element 42 to remove the strip from the stamping member afterthe stamping of securing tabs in the strip. This stripper elementincludes a plate having bores 43 for receiving the stamping members 33,which plate is resiliently urged downwardly relative to the beam body 11by springs 44, preferably helical compression springs. To guide thestripper plate 42 so as to limit its movement at all times to a verticaldirection, there are uprights 45 connected to the plate and fitted forvertical sliding movement in holders or brackets 46 fixed on both sidesof the beam body 11. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 3 shows only oneguiding upright 45 and the associated holder 46, although guide meansare provided at both sides of the beam body 11. The helical compressionsprings 44 tend to maintain the stripper plate 42 spaced from the beambody 11, the stamping members 33 taking the position shown in FIGS. 2 3,in which the lower portions of the stamping members are not in contactwith the strip 3.

On the lower side of the stripper plate, or more specifically in aninsert portion 47 of the plate, a depression 48 is formed which ismatched by an elevation 49 in the die 17. This elevation 49 has asomewhat lesser width than the width of the strip 3. The depression 48in the insert portion 47 has two more or less inclined side surfaces 50.Obviously, when the elevation 49 in a stamping operation penetrates intothe depression 48, the two edge portions of the strip 3 will be bent orinclined relative to the strip. These obliquely bent edge portions ofthe strip will subsequently, when clenched onto container portions,penetrate into the body of the container portions, thereby preventingthe edge portions of the resultantplate from coming loose from thecontainer portions.

The die 17 carries a number of spring bodies 51 which serve to maintainthe strip 3 at a distance from the upper side of the die, the distancebeing based on the length of the securing tabs, thereby avoiding thesecuring tabs from coming into contact with the die after the stampingof the tabs. The spring bodies 51 may be in the form of elongated metalpieces which are movable in milled recesses 52 in the die through themedium of bolts or other members 53, actuated by helical compressionsprings 54, the springs 54 and the bolts 53 tending to maintain thebodies 51 at a constant position projecting out of the die. On thespring body 51, which is disposed next to the shearing means 15, a guideelement 55 is provided in the form of a bent plate spring, serving toguide the stamped strip 3 into the retainer 28 of the slide 18.

it will be observed with reference to FIG. 1 that the arm 23, serving asa backing for the press means 13, is of a cantilever type to enable acontainer body, e.g.,

consisting of four walls to be moved around the arm 23 when clenching atleast the last one of the four corner plates holding together the wallsin question. Should however the arm 23 be extremely long to permitclenching of long plates, the arm may, as shown in FIG. 1, at its outerend be supported by a support member 56 which is pivotally movablebetween a rest position out of contact with the arm to permit adisposition of the container frame around the arm and a working positionin which the member supports said end of the arm. The operation of thepivotable support member 56 is associated with the operation of themachine to cause the support member to support the arm during thepressing step only, while it otherwise assumes a rest position out ofcontact with the arm.

The container portions to which the plates are to be clenched consistpreferably of some wood material, for example plywood. It is howeveralso possible to use the machine in connection with container portionsconsisting of another material, for example paper, plastics orcombinations of paper, wood and plastic.

The machine described operates in the following manner. From the supplyreel 2 the strip 3 is fed stepwise into the forming portion 1 of themachine by means of the feed rolls 6 and 7. By each step the strip isfed along a length corresponding to the length of the intended plate,this length in turn being determined by the dimensions of the containeror the container portions to which the plate is to be clenched. Whenfeeding of the strip is performed the movable tool 11 is at a restposition at a maximum level wherein the stamping members are not incontact with the strip. When a feed step is accomplished, the movabletool 11 is caused by means of the driving mechanism to move in adownward direction.

In a first step the first series of securing tabs are stamped out in thestrip 3 so that the stamping members 33, when the tool 11 has moveddownward a distance to make the stripper plate 42 abut against the die17, will cut through the strip and enter into the holes 34 of the die,the strip material being cut through by the stamping members and formedinto tabs against the walls of the holes 34. In this phase the tool 11works against the action of the compression springs 44. Just before thestripper plate 42 comes into contact with the die 17 the bending orimpression of the edge portions of the strip 3 will be performed, inthat the elevation 49 of the die presses the strip into the depression48 of the stripper plate, the edge portions of the strip adopting theform of the inclined side walls 50 of the depression.

In another step timed independently of the stamping step, the strip 3 issevered forming a separate plate which has thereon securing tabs formedin a preceding stamping operation. The severing of the strip takes placeby means of the shearing means 15, the first edge 31 of the slide 18during the downward movement of the tool passing the second edge 32 toaccomplish the severing.

In a third step, following the shearing step, the severed plate will beclenched onto the container portions in question. This operation takesplace by means of the slide 18, the retainer of which retains and guidesthe plate until the slide reaches its lower end position wherein theplate will be clenched onto the container portions by means of thesecuring tabs.

When the tool 11 after the downward work stroke again moves upwardly thestripper plate 42 will remove the strip 3 out of contact with thestamping members 33, the springs 44 removing the plate 42 and therebyalso the strip from the stamping members. At the same time the springbodies 51 having been depressed during the stamping moment will be movedupward by the springs 54 and maintain the strip 3 at a cetain levelabove the die 17. Thereby the stamped securing tabs will not come intocontact with the die, and a lengthwise feeding of the strip may takeplace notwithstanding the downwardly projecting securing tabs.

When the tool 11 has reached its upper end position, a new length ofstrip will be fed forwardly and the strip portion having the series ofsecuring tabs stamped out therefrom in the preceding work step will bemoved over to the press means 13. Then the process will be repeated,i.e., a new series of securing tabs will be stamped out of the strip,while the strip will be severed to form a plate and the plate disposedin the retainer 28 of the press means 13 will be clenched onto thecontainer portions in question.

The operation of the tool 11 will most preferably be effected by meansof manually actuable control means, the operator applying the containerportions 26 and 27 to the backing 14 controlling the movements of thetool.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of a machine which is designed forshorter plates than those of the machine of FIGS. 1 4 and particularlyadapted for securing plates onto cases or containers the walls of whichmay form an angle of 90 to each other. Similar to the machine previouslyshown, the machine shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a frame 10 and amovable tool 11 which is connected through a connection 12 to a drivingmechanism of a suitable kind. On the frame 10 is disposed a projectingarm 23 having two support surfaces 24 and 25 for the container walls 26and 27. The movable tool 11 has a slide 18, a shearing means 15 andstamping means 16. On the frame 10 is disposed a die 17 for the stampingmeans. The machine also includes a stripping element 42, a spring body51 and a guide element 55. On the die 17 is provided an elevation 49matching a depression in the stripper element 42.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the angle between the two presssurfaces 20 and 21 in the V- formed recess 22 in the slide is less than90, the angle between the press surfaces being on the order of 89 Sincethe two container walls 26 and 27 are disposed at right angles to eachother, this will result in the two edge portions of the plate tending,on clenching, to penetrate to a greater extent than the center portionof the plate into the walls 26 and 27.

The retainer to retain and guide the plate relative to the slide 18 inthis embodiment is in the form of two opposite grooves 57, 58 in thepress surfaces 20, 21 of the recess 22. The distance between these twogrooves is greater than the width of the strip 3 but less than thedistance between the two edges of the plate after the bending of theplate. Thus the plate will be automatically released from the grooves57, 58 in conjunction with the clenching of the plate onto the containerwalls 26, 27.

The shearing means 15 includes a knife or axe 59 connected to themovable tool 11, the knife being operable to shear off the strip 3against the rim or edge 32 of the die 17. The knife 59 is, as shown inFIG. 6, at its two ends connected to piston rods 60 of two pneumaticpiston-cylinder mechanisms 61 which act as springs for the knife 59. Theknife is guided vertically by two pins 62 engaging in elongate guidegrooves 63 in the knife. On one side of the knife (see FIG. there is afirst shoulder 64 which limits the stroke of the knife when the tool 11moves downward. On the opposite side of the knife a second shoulder 65is formed to effect the upward movement of the knife by a nose 66 of theslide 18 in the upward motion of the tool.

The separate stamping members 33 are attached in groups in a number ofstamp holders 35. These stamp holders which have bevelled side surfaces,are inserted between two guidelike webs 67, only one of which is visiblein FIG. 5. The stamp holders are clamped between the guides 67 byL-formed wedge means 68 which have a screw member 69 securable to thetool or the beam body 11. On tightening the screw member 69 the wedge 68will move to the right in FIG. 5 and clamp the separate stamp holders 35with the bevelled side surfaces of the stamp holders abutting againstthe corresponding bevelled side surfaces of the guides 67. Dismountingof one or more stamp holders is made by releasing the screw 69 by asimple manual operation, which will release the wedge means permittingthe stamp holders to be removed from the space between the guides 67.

The machine shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 operates, except for the shearingmeans and retainer 28, in a manner analogous to that of the machineshown in FIGS. 1 4.

Control and operation of the different units of the machine may becarried out by electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic means, as desired.Feeding of the strip may be carried out by means of rolls, but it isalso possible to provide feeding mechanisms consisting of links or othermechanical elements grasping the strip and feeding the strip in itslongitudinal direction.

The advantages of the invention are obvious as the plates may beclenched, immediately following the formation thereof, onto thecontainers or container portions in question. In this manner the needfor special machines for clenching the plates is dispensed with. Furtherany unnecessary transport and handling of separate plates betweendifferent stations'will be eliminated. Other advantages of the machinesformed according to the invention are that the machines can be adaptedto plates of different lengths in a simple and limited time consumingoperation.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments ofthe machines described and shown in the drawings. It is thus possible toapply the invention, not only to V-formed edge plates of the kind hereinreferred to but also in connection with other forms of plates, forexample lock plates. In such case the stamping means as well as theshearing means and the press means will be modified to provide plates ofany desired form.

I claim:

l. A method of securing elements of the type including fittings andplates to container members including containers of the type includingcases, packing, goods containers and the like and parts composing suchcontainers said method including the steps'of feeding a strip from asupply, forming on the strip securing tabs drivable into the member, andshearing off a length of the strip having securing tabs thereon thusforming a securing element of a suitable length, said method beingcharacterized by securing the securing element onto the containermembers in question in timed relation with the method step wherein thestrip is shorn off and as part of a continuous step-by-step operationincluding said feeding, tab forming and shearing steps.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the securingtabs are formed by stamping out in a first step a first series ofsecuring tabs in the strip, the securing element is formed by shearingoff the strip having formed thereon a second series of securing tabs ina second step, and the clenching of said securing element onto thecontainer member in question is effected in a third step, all of saidfirst, second and third steps occurring simultaneously but for differentportions of the strip and different securing elements.

3. A method according to claim 2, characterized by carrying out thestamping as well as the shearing and clenching during one and the sameunidirectional working stroke in a movable tool comprising a stampmeans, a shearing means and a press means.

4. A method according to claim I wherein the feeding of the strip fromthe supply is a stepwise feeding, the strip being by each step fed alength equal to the length of the securing element in question.

5. A method according to claim 1, characterized by the securing elementbeing imparted with a V-formed cross sectional profile in connectionwith the clenching thereof onto the container member.

6. A method according to claim 1, characterized by turning edge portionsof the strip relative to the plane of the strip preferably in connectionwith the forming of the securing tabs on the strip for penetration intothe body.

7. A machine for joining container and like members, said machineincluding at least means providing a supply of strip, stamp means forstamping securing tabs in the strip, shearing means for severing apredetermined length of the strip having formed thereon securing tabs toform a securing element of a suitable length, said machine beingcharacterized by press means for pressing the formed securing elementsonto the container members in connection with the operation of themachine following the formation of the securing element by the severingof the strip through the shearing means.

8. A machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the stamp meansas well as the shearing means and the press means are disposed ona-movable common tool which is reciprocatable towards and away from acooperative stationary frame of the machine.

9. A machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the movabletool consists of an elongate, beam like body which is movable transverseto its longitudinal extension, preferably vertically.

10. A machine according to claim 8 characterized in that the press meansincludes a slide mounted on said tool in the vicinity of one endthereof, said slide being movable towards and away from said frame withsaid tool, and a suitable backing element cooperable with said slidemounted on said frame in the vicinity of one end of the frame.

11. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide hasa V-formed recess formed with two press surfaces, and in that thebacking has a V-formed support portion having two support surfacesdirected towards the slide and cooperable with said press surfaces.

12. A machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the anglebetween the press surfaces of the slide together with the angle betweenthe support surfaces of the support portion forms a total angle of 360.

13. A machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the anglebetween the support surfaces is 270 whereas the angle between the presssurfaces is less than 90.

14. A machine according to claim 10, characterized in that a retainer isprovided on the slide to retain and guide the sheared off securingelement relative to the slide during the time till the clenching of thesecuring element onto the container member.

15. A machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the retainerincludes at least two holder means inclined relative to each other,which are movable in slots in the slide between a first positionprojecting out of the slide in which the distance between adjacentportions of the holder means is less than the width of the securingelement to retain the securing element, and a second position in whichthe distance between adjacent portions of the holder means is greaterthan the width ofthe securing element to release the securing element.

16. A machine according to claim 15, characterized in that the holdermeans are movable from the second to the first position under the actionof gravity.

17. A machine according to claim 15, characterized in that the holdermeans are movable from the second to the first position under the actionof springs.

18. A machine according to claim 15, characterized in that the slide hasa V-formed recess formed with two press surfaces, and in that thebacking element has a V-formed support portion having two supportsurfaces and being directed towards the slide, and the holder means aredisposed immediately adjacent to the recess.

19. A machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the slide hasa V-formed recess formed with two press surfaces, and in that thebacking element has a V-formed support portion having two supportsurfaces and being directed towards the slide, and the retainer consistsof two grooves, opposite to each other, in the press surfaces of therecess, the distance between the grooves being greater than the width ofthe strip prior to its bending but less than the distance between theedges of the securing element after its bending.

20. A machine according to claim 10 characterized in that the backingincludes an arm projecting from the frame.

21. A machine according to claim 20, characterized in that a supportmember is provided at one end of the arm directed away from the frame,said support member being movable between a rest position out of contactwith the arm and a working position in which the support member supportssaid end of the arm.

22. A machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the shearingmeans consists of a first edge provided on the slide, said edge beingmovable relative to a second edge provided on the frame, said secondedge being disposed at a distance from the backing element of the pressmeans to sever the strip on the movement of the slide towards thebacking element into a plate separated from the strip prior to clenchingthe plate into the container portions.

23. A machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the shearingmeans consists of knife means connected to the movable tool, said knifemeans being adapted to shear off the strip against an edge provided onthe frame and spaced from the backing of the press means.

24. A machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the stampingmeans includes a plurality of stamping members selectively dismountableand matching bores in a die provided on the frame.

25. A machine according to claim 24, characterized by said stampingmeans including a plurality of stamp holders which each carries a groupof said stamping and which are detachably connected to the movable tool,for example by means of clamp means clamping the stamp holders to thetool.

26. A machine according to claim 24, characterized in that a stripper isprovided between the stamping means and the'die to remove the strip fromthe stamping members after the stamping of securing tabs in the strip.

27. A machine according to claim 26, characterized in that the stripperconsists of a stripper plate having bores for the stamping members, saidstripper plate being connected to the movable tool by springs,preferably compression springs, tending to move the stripper plate andthe strip in a direction away from the stamping members, the stampingmembers being movable through said bores against the action of thesprings when the stripper plate abuts against the die.

28. A machine according to claim 26, characterized in that the stripperhas a depression to which corresponds an elevation in the die, theelevation having a lesser width than the strip to penetrate on stampinginto the depression and convert the edge portions of the strip so as tomake the same bent relative to a center portion of the strip.

29. A machine according to claim 24, characterized in that at least onespring body is connected to the die to maintain the strip spaced fromthe upper side of the die and thereby avoid that the securing tabs willcome into contact with the die.

30. A machine according to claim 29, characterized in that the springbody disposed next to the shearing means has a guide element, forexample a plate spring,

for guiding the strip into the retainer of the slide.

1. A method of securing elements of the type including fittings andplates to container members including containers of the type includingcases, packing, goods containers and the like and parts composing suchcontainers said method including the steps of feeding a strip from asupply, forming on the strip securing tabs drivable into the member, andshearing off a length of the strip having securing tabs thereon thusforming a securing element of a suitable length, said method beingcharacterized by securing the securing element onto the containermembers in question in timed relation with the method step wherein thestrip is shorn off and as part of a continuous step-by-step operationincluding said feeding, tab forming and shearing steps.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the securing tabs are formedby stamping out in a first step a first series of securing tabs in thestrip, the securing element is formed by shearing off the strip havingformed thereon a second series of securing tabs in a second step, andthe clenching of said securing element onto the container member inquestion is effected in a third step, all of said first, second andthird steps occurring simultaneously but for different portions of thestrip and different securing elements.
 3. A method according to claim 2,characterized by carrying out the stamping as well as the shearing andclenching during one and the same unidirectional working stroke in amovable tool comprising a stamp means, a shearing means and a pressmeans.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the feeding of the stripfrom the supply is a stepwise feeding, the strip being by each step feda length equal to the length of the securing element in question.
 5. Amethod according to claim 1, characterized by the securing element beingimparted with a V-formed cross sectional profile in connection with theclenching thereof onto the container member.
 6. A method according toclaim 1, characterized by turning edge portions of the strip relative tothe plane of the strip preferably in connection with the forming of thesecuring tabs on the strip for penetration into the body.
 7. A machinefor joining container and like members, said machine including at leastmeans providing a supply of strip, stamp means for stamping securingtabs in the strip, shearing means for severing a predetermined length ofthe strip having formed thereon securing tabs to form a securing elementof a suitable length, said machine being characterized by press meansfor pressing the formed securing elements onto the container members inconnection with the operation of the machine following the formation ofthe securing element by the severing of the strip through the shearingmeans.
 8. A machine according to claim 7, characterized in that thestamp means as well as the shearing means and the press means aredisposed on a movable common tool which is reciprocatable towards andaway from a cooperative stationary frame of the machine.
 9. A machineaccording to claim 8, characterized in that the movable tool consists ofan elongate, beam like body which is movable transverse to itslongitudinal extension, preferably vertically.
 10. A machine accordingto claim 8 characterized in that the press means includes a slidemounted on said tool in the vicinity of one end thereof, said slidebeing movable towards and away from said frame with said tool, and asuitable backing element cooperable with said slide mounted on saidframe in the vicinity of one end of the frame.
 11. A machine accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the slide has a V-formed recess formedwith two press surfaces, and in that the backing has a V-formed supportportion having two support surfaces directed towards the slide andcooperable with said press surfaces.
 12. A machine according to claim11, characterized in that the angle between the press surfaces of theslide together with the angle between the support surfaces of thesupport portion forms a total angle of 360*.
 13. A machine according toclaim 11, characterized in that the angle between the support surfacesis 270* whereas the angle between the press surfaces is less than 90*.14. A machine according to claim 10, characterized in that a retainer isprovided on the slide to retain and guide the sheared off securingelement relative to the slide during the time till the clenching of thesecuring element onto the container member.
 15. A machine according toclaim 14, characterized in that the retainer includes at least twoholder means inclined relative to each other, which are movable in slotsin the slide between a first position projecting out of the slide inwhich the distance between adjacent portions of the holder means is lessthan the width of the securing element to retain the securing element,and a second position in which the distance between adjacent portions ofthe holder means is greater than the width of the securing element torelease the securing element.
 16. A machine according to claim 15,characterized in that the holder means are movable from the second tothe first position under the action of gravity.
 17. A machine accordingto claim 15, characterized in that the holder means are movable from thesecond to the first position under the action of springs.
 18. A machineaccording to claim 15, characterized in that the slide has a V-formedrecess formed with two press surfaces, and in that the backing elementhas a V-formed support portion having two support surfaces and beingdirected towards the slide, and the holder means are disposedimmediately adjacent to the recess.
 19. A machine according to claim 14,characterized in that the slide has a V-formed recess formed with twopress surfaces, and in that the backing element has a V-formed supportportion having two support surfaces and being directed towards theslide, and the retainer consists of two grooves, opposite to each other,in the press surfaces of the recess, the distance between the groovesbeing greater than the width of the strip prior to its bending but lessthan the distance between the edges of the securing element after itsbending.
 20. A machine according to claim 10 characterized in that thebacking includes an arm projecting from the frame.
 21. A machineaccording to claim 20, characterized in that a support member isprovided at one end of the arm directed away from the frame, saidsupport member being movable between a rest position out of contact withthe arm and a working position in which the support member supports saidend of the arm.
 22. A machine according to claim 10, characterized inthat the shearing means consists of a first edge provided on the slide,said edge being movable relative to a second edge provided on the frame,said second edge being disposed at a distance from the backing elementof the press means to sever the strip on the movement of the slidetowards the backing element into a plate separated from the strip priorto clenching the plate into the container portions.
 23. A machineaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the shearing means consistsof knife means connected to the movable tool, said knife means beingadapted to shear off the strip against an edge provided on the frame andspaced from the backing of the press Means.
 24. A machine according toclaim 8, characterized in that the stamping means includes a pluralityof stamping members selectively dismountable and matching bores in a dieprovided on the frame.
 25. A machine according to claim 24,characterized by said stamping means including a plurality of stampholders which each carries a group of said stamping and which aredetachably connected to the movable tool, for example by means of clampmeans clamping the stamp holders to the tool.
 26. A machine according toclaim 24, characterized in that a stripper is provided between thestamping means and the die to remove the strip from the stamping membersafter the stamping of securing tabs in the strip.
 27. A machineaccording to claim 26, characterized in that the stripper consists of astripper plate having bores for the stamping members, said stripperplate being connected to the movable tool by springs, preferablycompression springs, tending to move the stripper plate and the strip ina direction away from the stamping members, the stamping members beingmovable through said bores against the action of the springs when thestripper plate abuts against the die.
 28. A machine according to claim26, characterized in that the stripper has a depression to whichcorresponds an elevation in the die, the elevation having a lesser widththan the strip to penetrate on stamping into the depression and convertthe edge portions of the strip so as to make the same bent relative to acenter portion of the strip.
 29. A machine according to claim 24,characterized in that at least one spring body is connected to the dieto maintain the strip spaced from the upper side of the die and therebyavoid that the securing tabs will come into contact with the die.
 30. Amachine according to claim 29, characterized in that the spring bodydisposed next to the shearing means has a guide element, for example aplate spring, for guiding the strip into the retainer of the slide.